Next day, Lane, Sisto, and I are sent out to find strays. Even though over a thousand cattle now crowd the pens, Bunch says there’s still strays that venture far, so we go out with a pack horse carrying supplies for a noon meal, as we’ll be out all day. I’m happy to be leaving Roe behind.
“There’s a draw about twenty miles north where stock tend to get themselves stuck,” explains Sisto as we ride along. “Some even go beyond that.”
We lope along, nobody particularly eager because it’s easy work and good to be out on our own. After an hour of seeing not one cow, we stop for a rest. When Sisto goes off to piss, Lane comes over to me.
“Don’t let Roe get under your skin. That’s what he wants. He’s caused trouble before.”
“Why does the boss keep him on?”
“I don’t know. I sure as hell wouldn
